The Keys of the Kingdom (1944)
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82% of users liked it
(651 ratings)
Based on the novel by A.J. Cronin, The Keys of the Kingdom was the first big-budget effort of movie-newcomer Gregory Peck. This is the 137-minute chronicle of a Scottish priest (Peck), who is assigned a mission in China. Never very focused in his life or work, the priest finds plenty to keep his… More Based on the novel by A.J. Cronin, The Keys of the Kingdom was the first big-budget effort of movie-newcomer Gregory Peck. This is the 137-minute chronicle of a Scottish priest (Peck), who is assigned a mission in China. Never very focused in his life or work, the priest finds plenty to keep his mind occupied in his new post; when he isn't coping with the starvation and poverty plaguing his flock, he must contend with China's bloody civil war. Nonetheless, he perseveres, and finds it difficult as an elderly man to retire. He returns to Scotland, where he finds a new purpose in life; that of ministering to youngsters who, like him, have trouble determining their place in the world. Keys of the Kingdom was one of the last 20th-Century-Fox films produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz before his career-shift to directing; Rose Stradner, Mankiewicz' then-wife, has an important role in the film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John M. Stahl
- Written By
- Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Nunnally Johnson
- Genres
- Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 1944 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
With the help of an Oscar nomination, Gregory Peck becamea major star after appearing in Fox's religious bio-epic, in which he plays the heroic Scottish priest, Father Francis Chisholm.
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Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
This disc showcases the high quality that Fox's 'Studio Classics' series is known for and does not disappoint.
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Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
... a beautiful and uplifting story with uniformly strong performances from its brilliant cast.
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Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Peck's star-making turn… earned him a Best Actor nod and established his screen persona as a ruggedly decent, dignified underdog.
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Cast
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Gregory Peck
as Father Francis Chisholm
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Thomas Mitchell
as Dr. Willie Tullock
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Vincent Price
as Rev. Angus Mealy
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Roddy McDowall
as Francis Chisholm (younger)
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Rosa Stradner
as Mother Maria Veronica
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Edmund Gwenn
as Rev. Hamish MacNabb
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Cedric Hardwicke
as Monsignor Sleeth
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Peggy Ann Garner
as Nora as a Child
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Jane Ball
as Nora
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James Gleason
as Dr. Wilbur Fiske
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Anne Revere
as Agnes Fiske
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Ruth Nelson
as Lisbeth Chisholm
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Benson Fong
as Joseph
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Leonard Strong
as Mr. Chia
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Arthur Shields
as Father Tarrant
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Edith Barrett
as Aunt Polly
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Sara Allgood
as Sister Martha
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Richard Loo
as Lieutenant Shon
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Ruth Ford
as Sister Clotilde
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Kevin O'Shea
as Father Craig
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H.T. Tsiang
as Hosannah Wong
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Si-Lan Chen
as Philomena Wang
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Dennis Hoey
as Alex Chisholm
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Ethel Griffies
as Mrs. Glennie
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Terry Kilburn
as Malcolm Glennie
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Lumsden Hare
as Daniel Glennie
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J. Anthony Hughes
as Ned Bannon
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Abner Biberman
as Bandit Captain
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George Nokes
as Andrew
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Philip Ahn
as Mr. Pao
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Ruth Clifford
as Sister Mercy Mary
- Joseph Kim
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James B. Leong
as Taoist Priest
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Clarence Lung
as She Wing Soo Hoo Orderly
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Moy Ming
as Chinese Physician
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Hayward Soo Hoo
as Chia-Yu
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W. Beal Wong
as Chinese Captain
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Oie Chan
as Grandmother
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Richard Wang
as Chinese Servant
- Rose Stradner
